Portland Clinic

McMinnville Clinic

What You Should Know…Shaving “Down There”

After years in practice and doing many female exams, I have begun to see some patterns that I want to share with you. I will start by saying this blog may test your comfort limits but this is a subject that should be talked about.

First things first, it has become very “cool” or “in” to shave the pubic hair. Some woman shave it all and some only shave a bit, but I have witnessed a lot of shaving in recent years. The females that shave are often young 20 and 30 year olds and teenagers. I am not sure how the trend started, but I want to share with you the conversation that I have with girls in my office who are consistently shaving. Many of the girls who are shaving all of their hair off are having trouble with recurrent vaginal yeast infections or bacterial vaginitis. To clear both of these conditions up for those who don’t know, yeast infections and bacterial vaginitis are not sexually transmitted diseases. They both occur when the normal flora (healthy bacteria and yeast) of the vaginal tract gets off balance and then infection begins.

Symptoms of vaginitis include but are not limited to discharge, odor, and/or itching. Often vaginitis can be easily treated, but sometimes it can become a chronic problem for girls.

Pubic hair suits a purpose, a very important purpose. The hair provides a small pocket between the skin and the underwear that allows a small amount of air flow. The air flow is healthy and helps to ward off excess moisture. When the pubic hair is shaved entirely, it allows the underwear to rest flat on the skin, limiting air flow and promoting moisture which can often lead to vaginal infections. Bacteria and yeast thrive in moist environments and their growth is promoted by warmth and moisture. You can imagine that shaving all pubic hair off and wearing tight underwear and clothing daily will lead to a warm, moist vaginal area – leaving a woman potentially susceptible to infection.

Of note, the type of underwear and clothing a girl wears is also important. Synthetic fabrics trap in moisture. Cotton underwear and clothing are often healthier for those prone to vaginal infections because they don’t trap in moisture as much. This point is usually known by my patients, but the air flow and shaving point is not understood widely quite yet. Work out clothes have become mainstay for many women and are often worn all day. Wearing tight workout pants for many hours daily while shaving all pubic hair will increase a woman’s chance of getting a yeast infection.

I am not saying that women can’t shave, I am saying that women who shave should take other precautions to make sure that moisture isn’t trapped and that good air flow occurs around the pubic area. If a woman shaves 100 % of her public hair, it is my opinion that she should not wear underwear (most of the time). Obviously there are some outfits that warrant underwear use, but then women should make sure they don’t wear underwear more than a couple days in a row or they don’t wear underwear to bed.

I have offered this suggestion for a few years now in my practice and it really has made a difference in my women who used to have chronic yeast infections.

Shaving “Down There”

1. If you shave only the bikini line, you are not at any more risk for infection than other women who don’t shave at all.

2. If you shave all pubic hair and are wearing tight clothing and underwear, you are most likely at higher risk for developing vaginal infections.

3. If you shave all pubic hair, then you should avoid wearing underwear most of the time to allow for good air flow to the pubic area.

4. Don’t shave all pubic hair and wear underwear, leggings, and tight work out clothes daily.

5. If you have chronic yeast infections, try not wearing underwear to bed and limiting underwear use in the day. Make sure to always wear cotton underwear instead of any synthetic fabrics. Get treatment for any vaginal infection.

I full support wearing long skirts with no underwear to let air get to the perineal area for women who have a history of chronic infections. I used to get chronic yeast infections, but now, when I feel one coming on, I dont wear underwear and I take the Lady Soma Candida Pills. Those two things combined make sure I never get the yeast infection, and if it starts, it goes away in 1-2 days.

I began shaving everything down there the very moment hair began to grow in my early teens. No trend inspired me. It was an original decision that I spoke to no one about. It was simply too painful to have. I am a very hairy woman. I have very thick black forearm hair and I had to shave my legs at an earlier age than my peers so that kids wouldn’t call me a gorilla.

I’ve never had hair there and I’ve had non-stop chronic BV. I am now 36 yrs old and (because I’m curious to find out if it’ll help) for the first time in my whole life I’m letting it grow. But, I cannot even describe how painful this is. The hair is so coarse and thick, it’s in a constant state of digging and scratching. My cl*t is in a huge amount of (not good) pain, too, because of the wirey stabbing.

It’s making me so depressed. I can’t shave + go without underwear because I discharge excessively. Is it the BV or is it genetics? I’ve been sleeping nude for forever, so there is air flow all night. But I can’t go without underwear, in fact, I’ve always obsessively changed my underwear multiple times per day (because the wetness bothers me). I’m torn over what to do and just feel hopeless. I can’t trim because that defeats the purpose of the hair, right?

I think if you can get used to the hair, it may be helpful for you, but the problem seems like it lies in your ability to fight off the infection. I am assuming that you have treated it multiple times with antibiotics, it goes away, but then comes back. So it will be most important to make your immune response healthier so that it is able to fight off the infection better. The discharge is mostly likely due to the chronic BV. If that could go away, the discharge would most likely be better. Although some discharge, especially around ovulation is completely normal. I would start a completely sugar-free Anti-Inflammatory diet to help your body cleanse. Then consider visiting a naturopathic physician to see what you can do to make your body stronger at fighting infections.

I am astonished that you fully answer these questions in such detail and cander. I think it is a great resource for women dealing with similar issues as well. I found tour site because i shaved after about 4 months of enjoying hair. Immediate uncomfortableness, wetness, and a feeling that something bad is coming. Going to take your advice and cut sugar and bein probotics again. Have a great day, thanks again.

This blog explained everything I was doing wrong and everything was 100% describing my issues I’m currently facing as we speak. I wish I would of known this early in age before I started shaving everything off, but now it would be so hard to let my pubic hair grow back due to it being now thick and uncomfortable. I will try this new method and not wear underwear hopefully this helps change this horrible cycle of vaginal infections. However I do have a question, I work out at the gym 4-5 days a week for an hour. I wear leggings, yoga pants, and tights for my work outs. My question is what can I do to better protect my vaginal area and prevent vanginal infections when I work out? For example do I wear loosely cotton underwear under my tights or not wear underwear at all wearing only tights for my work out days? I hope to hear a response soon.

Great question! Your best option is to wear cotton underwear under the tights/yoga pants during the workouts and immediately change afterwards. Also in the future, purchase leggings that are made with a higher percentage of cotton rather than synthetic fabric and that should help a tiny bit. I hope things start feeling better soon!

If you have an odor you are doing the right thing by wearing loose clothing as you probably have noticed that it gets worse if you wear tight or synthetic underwear or leggings. I would consider getting tested for yeast, bacterial vaginosis, and making sure all STIs(sexually transmitted infections) are tested as well.

Another great question. The short answer is yes because all of the flora on the skin should be in regular balance and if they are not and you disrupt the skin by shaving then it can promote more growth of the yeast. Then the yeast can migrate to the vaginal canal and cause an infection. This is just speculation and may not be true for all people. In fact, if a person has balanced flora, they should be able to shave and not get any infections. Hope this helps. The more you can improve your internal health and gastrointestinal health and balance, the more balanced your flora should be.

I have had reoccurring bV for 5 years now but I seem to only have it when I’m at home in the city. I work as a nurse so I must wear tights with my uniform, and wearing jeans that fit (I’m quite skinny) are a necessity. I also workout and use shorts or leggings for this…I’ve tried all sorts to get rid. I like to shave because I like to be tidy and I like to swim so I don’t want pubes popping out; I’m very hairy person, so I have pubes even at the top of my inner legs, not just around vagina. Would trimming be better than shaving? I’ve tried eating yogurts with lacto bacillilius (spelling?!) and this works temporarily, but is eating all this yogurt unhealthy?

I think shaving the thighs and inner thighs is fine and then consider only trimming the actual pubic hair so that you leave a little to create you a little breathing room for when you have to wear tights or tight jeans. Consider not wearing underwear with the jeans to help with better air flow and consider cotton underwear under the tights to help prevent the tights from keeping too much moisture. Consider sleeping with no underwear or very loose shorts to allow for breathing at night. I don’t think you can get a therapeutic amount of proper probiotics by eating yogurt. I suggest picking up a supplement instead and not over-consuming dairy.

Hi, great article! I have been struggling with bv for about two years now. I just started testing myself with pH test sticks and they are coming up in the 6 range.

Does having bv cause a corresponding high pH, or does just having an elevated pH allow the bacteria go grow? Is there some part of my diet that could be keeping my pH elevated thus creating an environment for the bacteria to grow? I lift weights and ‘eat clean’ (whole foods, low sugar, etc) so it doesn’t seem like a diet problem. how do i get my pH down? I’ve tried repHresh and probiotics but it just keeps coming back.

Hi there, I shave all my public hair and it is quite often gets itchy and it comes and goes for about 2 years now. Do you have a recommendation of a cream or something that will prevent it from happening?

Some individuals actually break out more from waxing depending on what type of wax is used therefore you could have increased risk for boils and other pimple-like lesions to form. Removing the hair entirely is what can increase the likelihood of infection such as yeast or bacterial vaginitis, therefore I don’t think waxing vs. shaving is much different. Although you can wax or shave part and not all of the hair and that could leave you with a happy medium of trimmed look but some hair in place for protection. Hope this helps!

Hi, i’ve had yeast infection since I was 12, I am now 16. I am at loss for what to do. I have been taking both prescriptions and non-prescriptions to try to get rid of the yeast infection, but it just comes back. I have been to a doctor and a gynecologist, and they gave me advice and prescriptions, but it still didn’t work. I feel so uncomfortable in class, the smell and the itching . I am afraid someone will know. I don’t know what to do anymore with it. My mom said she had it one time when she was younger, but she got rid off it in a week. So I don’t understand why I can’t get rid off it.

Although all of these hygiene ideas are important, I don’t think hygiene alone will solve your problem. It sounds like a visit with a doctor is needed for you. I think you would get good support by seeing a naturopathic physician. You are welcome to come to my office if you live near Portland or McMinnville. If you don’t, seek out a naturopathic physician in your area.

It isn’t an easy question over the internet as this blog is meant to help people maintain their genital health but not treat a medical condition. I suggest you see a physician so you can get your infection treated. Untreated infections can only cause harm to you and potentially others.

Hi. I am planing on shaving down there for the first time because I am prone to yeast infections even though I wear loose bottoms and keep it clean. I have read many different ways to do it online but was wondering in your opinion what the best ways to shave down there is.

I am not sure that shaving down there will help with the yeast infections. It is much better to consider your internal health and overall defense against infections. Cutting out sugar can help you be less susceptible to yeast infections. Be careful when shaving, go slow, and try not to cut yourself. I would also consider leaving some hair so you have a barrier between your skin and underwear for air flow.

It will be an adjustment: learning how to be comfortable without underwear on. The other option is you can wear 100 % cotton underwear as an easier transition into not wearing underwear. Also, if you are having a lot of “fluids” then I think seeing a doctor to help with whatever is going on it a great idea! You potentially could have an infection that needs to be treated!

I’ve found this article to be pretty much spot on from what my wife has experienced. She was getting BV then after treating that getting a Yeast infection and back and forth for around 1 year. I told her maybe to stop shaving/waxing and see what happens….She hasn’t had a single occurrence since and its been a few months.
My problem is she can’t go without panties as she said it rubs her and she was wearing cotton panties before when she shaved (and had problems). Are there any other “breathable options” out there? I don’t mind the appearance at all but If i’m honest I prefer no hair towards the vulva if I’m going down there…

Unfortunately, cotton underwear is our best option right now. She can try to shave some of the area, but not the complete area so she finds a happy medium that keeps her infection free but feeling adequately trimmed. She could try to wear cotton underwear during the day and as soon as she is home at night putting on loose breathable sweatpants with no underwear. Wearing loose fitting boxer shorts to bed also helps with breathability through the night.

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